culture Flashcards
(28 cards)
Why did Aquae Sulis become important in Roman Britain?
Because of its sacred hot springs, believed to have healing properties.
How much hot water rises from the spring daily at Aquae Sulis?
Approximately 1,170,000 litres at 46°C
What did the Britons believe about the spring before the Romans arrived?
They regarded it as a holy place whose waters had healing powers.
Which tribe did the Roman army campaign against after invading Britain in AD 43?
The Silures.
Why might Roman soldiers have visited the spring
To recover from injuries using the healing waters.
What was the Roman strategy to win over native Britons?
Building Roman-style towns and amenities.
When did construction of the religious, health, and leisure complex begin at Aquae Sulis?
Around AD 62.
When was the Aquae Sulis complex completed?
By AD 76
What was at the centre of the Aquae Sulis complex?
The hot spring and the temple.
to which goddess did the Romans dedicate the temple at Aquae Sulis?
Sulis Minerva.
Who was Sulis?
A local British goddess, later associated with Minerva, the Roman goddess of healing.
What was the purpose of joining Sulis and Minerva?
To encourage Britons to accept Roman religion and culture.
What types of baths were included in the complex? (ENGLISH AND ROMAN NAMES)
a caldarium (hot), a tepidarium (warm), and a frigidarium (cold).
How was hot water transported to the baths?
Through lead pipes using gravity.
Where did surplus water from the spring go?
It was drained into the River Avon.
What archaeological finds have been made in the Roman drain?
Thirty-four gemstones and a tin mask.
Why did people visit Aquae Sulis?
To worship the goddess, seek cures, and make offerings or sacrifices.
What did Romans hope for by making offerings at Aquae Sulis?
To receive answers to prayers or thank the gods for granted prayer
What did the Romans call the Mediterranean Sea, and why?
The Romans called the Mediterranean Mare Nostrum (“Our Sea”) and Mare Internum (“Internal Sea”) because their empire surrounded its coasts and Rome was at its center.
What was Oceanus in Roman belief, and how did they imagine it
Oceanus was believed to be a great sea that surrounded the world, into which all rivers—including the Mediterranean—flowed. It was seen as mysterious, especially since lands like Britannia lay beyond it.
How was Oceanus depicted and worshipped by the Romans?
Oceanus was worshipped as a god, often shown with a bearded face, lobster claws on his head, and surrounded by sea creatures, as seen in mosaics decorating Roman villas.
Who was the main Roman sea god, and how was he honored?
Neptune, equivalent to the Greek Poseidon, was the main Roman sea god. He had temples and statues throughout the Empire, including a temple in Chichester (Britain), and his festival, the Neptunalia, was celebrated on 23 July.
Why did Roman travelers make offerings to Neptune before and after sea voyages?
Travelers prayed and gave offerings to Neptune for safe journeys and, upon safe arrival, gave thanks for their protection and success
How did Roman sailors navigate without compasses or charts nd who did they learn it from?
Roman sailors navigated by observing their surroundings, using astronomy learned from the Phoenicians, watching the stars at night, the sun at midday, and the direction of the winds.
